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Transport Minister told Grand Bahama Taxi Drivers More Unity is Needed

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#Bahamas, November 1, 2017 – Grand Bahama – In what could only be described as a frank, open and honest meeting with taxi cab drivers in Grand Bahama, Minister for Transport and Local Government, the Hon. Frankie Campbell addressed a number of serious issues facing cab drivers in Freeport.

From the hot button topic of the contention between cab drivers and tour operators at the Freeport Harbour, to the issues surrounding taxi plates and franchises, to an issue as simple as cab drivers keeping their vehicles clean, the Transport Minister was not shy in addressing all of the challenges being faced by taxi drivers in Grand Bahama, during a special called meeting at the GB Taxi Union Hall on Thursday, October 26, 2017

However, in spite of the past and present challenges taxi drivers must contend with on a regular basis, Minister Campbell assured them of one thing — that the public transportation system in Grand Bahama, as it relates directly to cab drivers, has to be dealt with as an overall effort to fix the whole of Grand Bahama.

“Grand Bahama is a very important part of the puzzle of The Bahamas,” Minister Campbell told cab drivers who had gathered at the GB Taxi Union Hall. “And as far as taxi drivers are concerned, I realize that you too play an important role in the economic sustainability of this island, because tourism being the major driver depends on all participants to play their role to ensure that the tourist experience is one that will result in repeat visitors.

“Our goal and objective as a Government, is to ensure that as quickly as possible we increase the size of this pie, so that there are sufficient slices so that everyone can get a slice of the pie, and that the hustling which I know for a fact exists in the industry will decrease somewhat and you would be in a better position to sustain your livelihood comfortably.”

Minister Campbell addressed the issues surrounding the leasing of taxi plates, noting that the whole idea of leasing a taxi plate is not necessarily the legal framework of how it is or how it was intended to work.

“Set criteria implied that it was intended that a person would have a taxi plate or a franchise to be an entrepreneur and to be able to look after his or her family,” noted Minister Campbell.   “However, as time went on, some children inherited these taxi plates and franchises and many of them never drove a taxi in their lives, but had gone on to become doctors and lawyers and other professionals, but since they had the plates, they leased them out at a very high cost.

“It has become what I call modern day slavery, because those who are leasing the plates pay the Government $100 a year for the plate, but charge a driver $500 per month to use the plate.   I don’t think that’s fair and I am convinced that it is the major cause of the hustle that goes on with taxi drivers.”

As far as finding a solution to this problem, the Transport Minister said that he could take the easy way out by giving out more taxi plates, but noted that in the long run this would only exacerbate the problem and make the hustle among taxi cab drivers even more severe.   Instead, Minister Campbell said that he has instructed the Road Traffic Controller to provide him with an audit of every taxi, bus and public service plate that has been issued thus far in The Bahamas, specifying information on who has those plates, where they are located and what is being done with the plates.

“After that audit, I will make a certain determination and I will be prepared to live or die by that determination, as long as I get the support of the other members of Cabinet,” said Minister Campbell.   “This will affect the entire Bahamas at one time and I will make the decision in good conscience.”

Minister Campbell slightly tugged at the major bone of contention among Grand Bahamian taxi drivers, which has always been a battle between cab drivers and tour operators at the GB Harbor.   In trying to understand the issue, Minister Campbell noted that as far as he knows a tour is a pre-arranged journey, which means it is something that is not done on the spot, but something that has been arranged before that tourist took the cruise.

“So Mr. Controller, Enforcement Officers, it is wrong and illegal, according to the Road Traffic Act, for persons to try and sell those tours on the ground,” said Minister Campbell.   “Don’t get me wrong, I admire the tour drivers, I admire the effort they put into their profession; many of them advertise their services on the internet and attend expos abroad to promote their services.   But at the same time, I’m disappointed that taxi drivers cannot come together under one umbrella and advertise their services on that same internet.

“Taxi Drivers, you have an awesome responsibility if you would stick together.   There is a certain unity necessary for the kind of success you are looking for.”

The Transport Minister then opened the meeting for questions from taxi drivers and allowed them to present burning issues for which they hoped the Government could assist in helping to find solutions.   Aware that one meeting would not suffice in fully dealing with the myriad issues that face GB taxi drivers, Minister Campbell promised to follow up with more such meetings between himself and GB taxi drivers.

By: Andrew Coakley (BIS)

Photo caption: 

SPEAKING WITH CAB DRIVERS – Minister of Transport and Local Government, the Hon. Frankie Campbell took time from his tight schedule, October 26, 2017, during a visit to Grand Bahama to speak with Grand Bahama taxi drivers at the Taxi Union Hall. Minister Campbell addressed a number of issues that GB cab drivers face and promised to return for further discussions. Looking on is Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson and Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Information and Communications, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe.

(BIS Photo/Andrew Coakley)

 

 

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Next U.S. Ambassador?  Walker Pledges Business-Driven Approach as U.S. Looks to Counter China in The Bahamas

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

The Bahamas, September 16, 2025 – For the first time since 2011, the United States is on the cusp of sending an ambassador to The Bahamas — and the nominee, former football star turned entrepreneur Herschel Walker, is promising to bring his business instincts to the diplomatic table.

Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week, Walker underscored that his background in food-service companies and small business leadership has prepared him to think practically about investment. “I know how to run a business, how to create jobs, how to make payroll. Those lessons translate into building relationships and building trust,” Walker said.

Walker, who was nominated by President Trump in December 2024, faced the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 11. As of now, he has not yet been confirmed; his nomination remains under review, pending a committee vote before it can move to the full Senate. If approved, he would become the first U.S. ambassador to The Bahamas since 2011.

For years, U.S. officials have stressed security and counternarcotics cooperation with The Bahamas, including through “Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos.” But in areas like infrastructure, medical care, and long-term investment, Washington has often been absent.

Hospitals and clinics remain under-resourced, and hurricane recovery has been slow in many islands. Chinese state-backed firms, by contrast, have shown up with financing packages and construction deals — a presence that has raised alarms on Capitol Hill.

“Only 50 miles off our shore, The Bahamas is too important for us to ignore,” warned Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders during Walker’s hearing. They called China’s inroads “strategic, not charitable,” suggesting Beijing’s long game is about ports, proximity, and political leverage.

Walker positioned himself as a nontraditional but pragmatic envoy. He argued that his business career, rooted in private sector success, equips him to champion American investment in The Bahamas.

He pledged to:

  • Promote U.S. companies interested in medical and infrastructure projects.
  • Support an environment that encourages American investors to see The Bahamas as more than just a beach destination.
  • Highlight opportunities for partnerships that improve public services, healthcare, and resilience against hurricanes.

“I’ve built businesses. I know what it takes to attract investors and create opportunity. That is exactly what I intend to bring to our relationship with The Bahamas,” Walker said.

The Bahamas is not just a tourist paradise. It’s a frontline state in migration, drug interdiction, and hurricane response. More than six million U.S. visitors travel there annually, making stability and safety a U.S. domestic concern as much as a foreign policy one.

And yet, with the ambassador post vacant for 14 years, the U.S. has often looked detached — opening space for China’s ambitious Belt and Road agenda. The fear is that infrastructure deals signed today could give Beijing leverage in the region tomorrow.                                                                                                                                                                                                                Walker’s confirmation would symbolize a course correction, signaling Washington’s intent to re-engage not only in security but in the economic future of The Bahamas.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Not everyone is convinced Herschel Walker is the right man for the job. His nomination revived controversies from his 2022 Senate run, including past allegations, public gaffes, and doubts about whether he has the diplomatic polish the post demands. Some senators and analysts questioned whether celebrity and business experience were enough for a role requiring nuance in foreign policy and geopolitics.

Critics argued that The Bahamas, sitting just 50 miles from Florida and facing intense Chinese interest, deserves a seasoned diplomat rather than a political ally.

Walker confronted those doubts head-on. “People have underestimated me all my life — in academics, athletics, and business,” he told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “And I have always proven them wrong, through discipline, determination, and by outworking everyone.”

He admitted he had never served as an ambassador but countered that his career prepared him in other ways: building businesses, managing payrolls, and connecting with people from all walks of life. He framed his business background as a strength, promising to use it to encourage U.S. investment in healthcare, infrastructure, and hurricane resilience projects in The Bahamas.

Rather than sparring with critics, Walker leaned on confidence and persistence: “I know how to build trust and find common ground. That’s what this relationship needs.”

If confirmed, Walker would have to balance his role as diplomat with expectations of being a commercial cheerleader for U.S. firms. His emphasis on entrepreneurship suggests a willingness to push U.S. businesses toward opportunities in healthcare, ports, and post-storm reconstruction — areas where Bahamians say they need the most support.

For Bahamian officials, the question will be whether Washington is prepared to back words with financing. U.S. private sector dollars, paired with aid and development partnerships, could help shift the tide against Chinese influence.

For Walker, the test will be whether his business acumen can translate into diplomatic wins — giving Bahamians alternatives to Beijing, while deepening the U.S. role in the Caribbean.

Analysis: If Walker delivers, this appointment could mark a turning point: a U.S. strategy that recognizes that in the Caribbean, investment is diplomacy.

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Conflicting Reports as Grand Bahama Awaits Its New Airport: What to Believe?

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

September 16, 2025 – Grand Bahama’s wait for a modern international airport has taken another dramatic turn. Just days after reports surfaced that the $200 million redevelopment had collapsed because partners failed to secure financing, the government is now insisting the project is alive and well — with funding in the “final stages” and construction on the horizon.

Earlier This Week: Airport Deal in Dire Straits

The week began with grim headlines. Deputy Prime Minister and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper confirmed that private partners in the much-heralded consortium had not produced financing. “Regrettably, the funding had not happened,” he admitted, sparking widespread fears the deal had crumbled.

Those admissions triggered a storm of skepticism in Freeport. Back in February, the government had declared the airport deal “finalized,” naming Aerodrome Ltd., Manchester Airport Group, and BHM UK as partners. They promised demolition within 30 days, designs in 45 days, and a new terminal by year’s end. But now, more than four months later, not a single milestone has been delivered.

For residents and business leaders, the collapse narrative confirmed their worst fears: that Grand Bahama was once again being strung along with empty promises. Long-stay tourism — the kind that sustains hotels, restaurants, taxis, and shops — depends on a functioning airport. Without it, the island’s economy remains hobbled.

Today: Government Pushes Back

But late Thursday, the government issued a forceful rebuttal. “The redevelopment of Grand Bahama’s International Airport remains a central priority for this administration and is key to the island’s economic renewal,” the statement read. Officials stressed that they are “in the final stages of securing funding and concluding agreements on airport management.”

The statement went further, clarifying the role of Manchester Airport Group, the UK’s largest airport manager. MAG, it said, was never meant to provide financing but remains a core partner in shaping the airport’s development and management. Bahamian contractors, the government insisted, are part of the team tasked with delivering the facility. “Our focus is on results,” the release concluded. “Grand Bahama will have the airport it needs to grow, attract investment, and strengthen its role as a gateway to The Bahamas.”

Who Should Grand Bahama Believe?

The conflicting narratives — one of a deal in “dire straits,” the other of a project in “final stages” — have left Grand Bahama residents struggling to know what to believe. Is the airport project truly on life support, or is the government simply playing its hand close until funding details are nailed down?

Skeptics point out that this is hardly the first time the airport has been declared a priority only to see little follow-through. Promises in 2023, in February 2025, and again in summer 2025 all failed to produce visible progress. Each missed deadline has chipped away at public trust.

Supporters of the government counter that large infrastructure projects are inherently complex, with legal negotiations and financing arrangements often dragging longer than planned. They argue that the continued involvement of Manchester Airport Group is evidence the project is still credible.

The Bigger Picture

Grand Bahama’s airport troubles are intertwined with the stalled $120 million Grand Lucayan hotel sale, which also remains without visible progress 129 days after it was announced. Business leaders insist both projects must move together if the island is to see real recovery. A luxury resort without a modern airport is as unviable as an airport without hotel rooms to fill.

For now, the people of Grand Bahama are left in limbo. This week they were told the airport deal had failed. Today, they’re being told it’s moving forward. The only certainty is that, nearly a year after the latest round of promises, not a single crane has touched the sky.

As one resident put it: “We don’t need more statements. We need to see bulldozers.”

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U.S. Coast Guard Trains Bahamian Partners in Water Survival Skills

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The Bahamas, September 10, 2025 – Rescue swimmers from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama visited Nassau to train Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) and Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) members in water survival skills as part of Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) earlier this week.

“Training alongside our USCG partners ensures our personnel are best prepared for the unique challenges of joint operations” said Superintendent Wendy Pearson, Commander Drug Enforcement Unit.

The multi-day exercise, centered on the USCG’s Shallow Water Egress Training (SWET), enhanced the safety and preparedness of Bahamian partners who routinely operate aboard USCG helicopters during OPBAT missions. The exercise provided hands-on instruction for 31 participants and strengthened interoperability between U.S. and Bahamian agencies engaged in counter-drug, search and rescue, and maritime security operations throughout the region.

“We were excited and proud to have the opportunity to share our expertise with our Bahamian partners. Not only did RBDF and RBPF perform exceptionally well, they exceeded the standards we set for the event,” said Petty Officer Second Class Cole Johnson, USCG.

OPBAT is a cooperative multi-agency international operation supporting The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands to stop illicit drug smuggling through the region. U.S. Embassy Nassau Chargé d’affaires Kimberly Furnish stated, “Since 1982, OPBAT has worked to stop the flow of illicit narcotics through the Caribbean, destined for the United States or other jurisdictions.  This is international cooperation at its best.”

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